In-Seine-ity (Pt 2)

Bonjour from a hot & sunny Paris! 

Friday 7 June - Port van Trough to Port de Paris-Arsenal
After a restless night we couldn't wait to set off at 7am.  Skipper was chomping at the bit and the engine was on at 6.45am.  We retrieved the power line and starting casting off and the owner of the barge we moored alongside came out to help us.  Overnight the strength of the current had pushed us firmly onto his boat and it took a lot of throttle, First Mate & Monsieur's elbow grease and on the 4th attempt we got off the mooring and turned our nose into the full current of the Seine.  Three hours later we turned the final bend of the Seine and saw the Eiffel Tower in all its glory.  What an amazing sight that is - especially from your own boat.  I went into overdrive with the camera but Skipper demanded I keep a hand for myself as the wash from all the traffic was quite something.  

No caption needed!

As we drew closer to the Eiffel Tower the tour boats and river buses (bato bus) increased five-fold.  We could see the props turning and the wash from them but you're never sure if they've just moored or are going to pull out so you really need your wits about you as they move out within seconds.  At one point we had 3 tourist boats and a barge behind us - all of which were vying to overtake.  Then a couple of river boats pulled out in front of us!  Skipper took the helm and dropped the keel so we had some stability and we wrestled our way along the madness that is the Seine. 

Then we glimpsed the majesty of the Notre Dame, where there is the first of two islands and a series of small, ornate bridges with one or more arches.  Imagine, then, the wash from the tourist boats, bato buses and the eddy under these bridges - and it's affect on our single engine yacht!  It was like white water rafting against the current.  But this didn't last for long and we saw Port de Paris-Arsenal the other side of the islands and, as we approached, a tourist boat decided to turn 180 degrees in front of us and make his way back up the river - no such thing as indicators on boats! 

The beautiful Notre Dame

We had heard that mooring in Paris-Arsenal was challenging and we were allocated a slot between two motor boats - I couldn't believe how little space for manouvre there was - the term shoe-horned springs to mind!  As we moved towards it, the wind picked up and funnelled down the marina which had the affect of pushing us away from the mooring.  It wasn't easy and after 3 pass-bys our kind neighbours offered to take our port & starboard stern lines and guide us in.

Ken & Katie from "Stardust" came in shortly after us and we helped them onto their mooring - they had similar problems to us so the least we could do was to help them.  We also saw Garth & Catherine from "Venture" who have had a lovely time with their family.

The weather here is amazing - feels like it's in the 30s but with a nice breeze.  The mooring is great with the Bastille Monument at one end of the marina - incredibly central.  Apparently Napolean commissioned the Arsenal as a method of moving gunpowder & armaments through the tunnel (also at end of marina) and along the Canal St Denis (our preferred route into the Arsenal).  Sad to have missed that but we'll do it on the return journey.  The marina is surrounded on one side by lovely gardens in which the Parisians have their lunch, a rest or a meal in the restaurant at the end of the garden.  High walls enclose the entire marina so you're separate from the immediate noise of Paris but, like all cities, the sound is familiar: a concerto of traffic, sirens and claxons which I have to say made me smile but we're glad we don't live in a city! 

Port de Paris Arsenal Marina with the Bastille Monument at the far end

We spent the afternoon doing a few chores in readiness for our friends' arrival tomorrow night - boring but necessary.  So, until the next (Paris sightseeing post), hope you're all well.

F&M